The Secret Life of Pets 2 ‘Snowball’ Trailer

THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 – In Theaters June 7

The Secret Life of Pets 2 will follow summer 2016’s blockbuster about the lives our pets lead after we leave for work or school each day. Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborator Janet Healy will produce the sequel to the comedy that had the best opening ever for an original film, animated or otherwise.

The Secret Life of Pets 2 will see the return of writer Brian Lynch (Minions) and once again be directed by Chris Renaud (Despicable Me series, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax). www.thesecretlifeofpets.com

Genre: Comedy

Cast: Lake Bell, Hannibal Buress, Dana Carvey, Harrison Ford, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Pete Holmes, Garth Jennings, Ellie Kemper, Nick Kroll, Bobby Moynihan, Patton Oswald, Jenny Slate, Eric Stonestreet

Director: Chris Renaud

Co-Director: Jonathan Del Val

Writer: Brian Lynch

Producers: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | #TheSecretLifeofPets2

Mary Poppins Returns Movie Review

‘Mary Poppins Returns’ is a marvelous, mystical, magical musical that revolves around the same siblings, Michael (Whishaw) and Jane Banks (Mortimer), from the story within the original Mary Poppins. There are three children in this rendition. The youngsters are, Anabel (Pixie Davies), John (Nathanael Saleh) and little Georgie (Joel Dawson). Their father is Michael who’s now widowed. Not long after we meet him, Michael, missing his wife Kate terribly, sings a song called ‘A Conversation.’ In the song he asks Kate where she is. It’s depressing but quite moving. The lyrics at the end of it are, ‘But still, one question fills my day dear. The answer I’ve most longed to know. Each moment since you went away, dear. My question, Kate, is… Where’d You go?’ Heavy lyrics for a ‘family movie.’ 

 This moment in the film is very different from the opening number that has Lin-Manuel Miranda’s, Jack the Lamplighter, singing and dancing while extinguishing the street lamps in, ‘(Underneath the) Lovely London Sky.’ You’ll be impressed with both numbers and already fully invested in this film. The score is gorgeous. The songs are passionate, and you’ll be ecstatic you made the choice to see this at the theatre rather than waiting. Trust me on that. And not only will you love it but it’s for everyone of all ages so bring the whole gang!

Something you’ll likely appreciate most is that some of the animation goes back to old-style Disney. It’s nostalgic, for certain, but its color is vibrant and brings about a feeling of happiness as you watch. It’ll also force smiles on every face in the audience. Color, cheer, happiness and smiles. Not a bad night out. This perfect recipe is a rare find in movies these days.

Set in Depression-era London, or the Great Slump of the 1930’s, Michael and the kids still live in the home that he and his activist sister, Jane, grew up in. Only now, he’s without his wife Kate who used to take care of the finances. Unfortunately, he’s having some money trouble of late, a lot of money trouble, and is about to lose their cherished home on Cherry Tree Lane. In fact, he has until midnight to pay a loan to the evil banker, William Weatherall Wilkins (Firth), that he took out against the house or they’re out in the streets. Seems there’s always an evil banker somewhere, doesn’t it? This one is particularly cruel and not so innocent. Think Potter from, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’

Enter the somewhat self-centered, Mary Poppins. Well, why not be at least moderately egotistical? After all, you can float down on an umbrella and change the lives of everyone you come into contact with. I think that deserves a little puffing of the chest. Yes. From up above, Mary Poppins, attached to the children’s kite, descends upon them once again. Jane and Michael admit to thinking she wasn’t ever real. Grown-ups, am I right? After an outstanding bathtub scene, a bowl is broken in the kids’ room. When this happens, the children are whisked away onto the bowl and begin to see fully what and who Mary Poppins is. There is a rather dark part here full of warnings and strong messages as they try to fix the bowl. The graphics during all of this is eye-popping, to say the least. They’re now in a fascinating world, being taught lesson after lesson. One of those lessons is to beware of what you only think you know… to never judge a book by its cover. This comes by way of the song ‘A Cover is Not the Book,’ which has some amusing lines. Here’s a peek. ‘A cover is not the book. So, open it up and take a look. ‘Cos under the covers one discovers. That the king may be a crook. Chapter titles are like signs and if you read between the lines. You’ll find your first impression was mistook. For a cover is nice but a cover is not the book!’ Each song of the soundtrack is easy to learn, and you’ll be singing along in the theatre before you know it!

I could go on forever, but I may as well just review by saying this… GO SEE THIS ASAP! The costumes, animation and the sets are unbelievable. Sensational! And certainly, you don’t want to miss seeing Dick Van Dyke singing and dancing again. Then there’s Julie Walters and Angela Lansbury in the cast. One of my favorite parts is Meryl Streep singing ‘Turning Turtle.’ It’s unbelievably good! This scene is delightful and quite peppy!

Look, whatever you do, don’t worry that you won’t like it. No one is going to forget Julie Andrews, and no one involved in making this film wants them to forget her or her performance. Most of all, Emily Blunt. This is simply her take on this beloved character. After you see her performance, I think you’ll agree she was the perfect choice to play the role. That said, her Mary Poppins is a bit stricter than the character was in the original. She doesn’t put up with any shenanigans. No ‘Spoonful of Sugar’ for the kiddies here which more resembles the P.L. Travers’ books.

This beautiful, glorious and extremely charming movie is entrancing, especially during certain musical numbers. I’ll leave you with this. I beg you to see ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ on the big screen. If you do, you’ll be fully aware that you’re watching another classic as it was meant to be seen. So, listen to Shari and go see it today. Then go see it again… and again… and again. The ‘Balloon Lady’ insists.

Once Upon a Deadpool

With the title and the time of its release, did expect to get something relating to Christmas in the film. This did not happen unless you count a Santa hanging on the wall as Christmas. That said, I guess to fans of the film, and of the genre, it’ll be seen as a Christmas gift. But if you want to see it, you better hurry! It’s only playing in theatres starting today December 12th until Christmas Eve. You have twelve days to see this present from Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) to You.

What you’re getting is a bedtime story being read to actor Fred Savage. Savage awakens, essentially on the set of the film ‘The Princess Bride.’ In that film, he’s a child who spends his time in bed listening to the tale of an adventure that’s being read to him by his grandfather. This time he’s tied up in that same bed, or a reasonable facsimile, being forced to lay there and hear a Deadpool narrative delivered to him by Deadpool himself. The story is a PG-13 version of ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Deadpool 2,’ concentrating more on ‘Deadpool 2’ where he, creates his own team of rogue mutants to save a young mutant from himself and from Cable (Josh Brolin) who has come from the future to end his terror before it can begin. The film expands on the Deadpool character and introduces several cherished Marvel superheroes and villains who every comic fan will remember.

In ‘Once Upon a Deadpool,’ the Fred Savage scenes more than makeup for what Fox had to do to keep it feature length after gutting and removing what made it Rated R in the first place. The F-bombs and the extreme violence are replaced with acceptable words and with story time explanations as to what is missing. At this time, Deadpool reveals to Savage that he’s unable to cuss and why. That in a PG-13 film, you’re only allowed one F-word, 2 shits and one glass of wine. As he discloses more of the rules and continues on with the story, there’s some hysterical back and forth, as I’m sure you had no doubt there would be. You’re essentially seeing ‘Deadpool 2’ with interjections of hilarity.

So why do this? Reynolds would only agree to it if one dollar from every ticket sold went to the charity, ‘Fuck Cancer,’ or to keep it family friendly, ‘Fudge Cancer.’ When you’re choosing a movie to see, keep that in mind. But why restructure a successful film and retell it as a PG-13? The simple answer is, so you can take your children to see one of your favorite superheroes! The character is foul-mouthed, and the violence is over the top in this franchise but with this version, Fox proves that it doesn’t need to be. However, I wouldn’t worry that they’ll change Deadpool if a third film is made. It took a lot of convincing to get Reynolds to agree to this in the first place.

*Stay through to the very end because, after the credits roll, there’s a loving tribute to Stan Lee.

Roma Movie Review

‘Roma’ is sensational. It’s also Mexico’s official submission for the category of ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ at the Academy AwardsÂŽ for 2019. It’s also the kind of film that sneaks up and grabs you when you least expect it. It’s an unforgettable and breathtaking tale of love from the director, Alfonso CuarĂłn (Y Tu MamĂĄ TambiĂŠn, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Gravity), to his family’s domestic assistant, Libo, that the main character was based on. Working as his own cinematographer, CuarĂłn captured the beautiful imagery of his past that no one else could have had access to. He forces your imagination back in time to experience what he recalls and to walk through the life of someone he dearly cared for during some of her most blessed and most tragic moments.

Shot in black and white with perfect set and costume designs of the time period, you can’t help but feel as if you’ve stepped back in time with him.

Right away and throughout the movie, CuarĂłn uses long sequences to get you into the proper frame of mind to watch this ‘love letter’ to the woman who raised him. Cleo is this woman. She’s a very young woman who’s missing out on partying, creating her own dreams and having fun. Instead, she does everything around her employer’s house. What’s made most clear is that she takes care of the children as any mother would, quite honestly, disregarding her own personal experiences for theirs. She’s always scrubbing the floors, picking up dog waste, washing the dishes and doing the laundry as well as seeing to it that the children are woken up, fed and put to bed. She takes the responsibilities involving the children most serious. When they’re in her charge she handles them with love and showers them with attention. She does eventually find time to squeeze in a date or two during at which time she gets pregnant. When this happens, CuarĂłn shows genuine affection for her and the plight she next finds herself in, just as his family did back then. This leads to one of the most heartbreaking scenes and a strong message to women who feel that they’re alone in moments of crisis. Outside of this, something I found extremely provocative was Pepe throwing hints out of the possible existence of reincarnation. I liked that CuarĂłn threw it in but this was not the film to explore those thoughts.

‘Roma’ may move too slow for some but if you let go and let the director take you through these occurrences, truly live in the moments you’re witnessing on screen, you’ll be diverted from reality for a while and appreciate the efforts he took to pull you into his memories. Little things in the background of our daily lives are shown here from great perspective, especially when you consider it’s a child’s point of view. He took the time to show them, I hope you give him that time and watch with patience. This film is an artist painting a masterpiece to its most perfect. At times he concentrates on the mundane but while you watch you realize you’re watching life. It’s happening right before you and you can’t turn away. What makes it more special is his way of giving you so much in the most unconventional way he could have found.

Anyway, see this in a large theatre with spectacular sound to get the most out of it. Yalitza Aparicio’s performance of Cleo will move you more when you can feel what she’s going through as well as see it play out. I realize it’s being released on Netflix but do try and catch its theatrical run. I can’t say enough about it. ‘Roma’ is a beautiful film in every possible way and CuarĂłn was brave to have shot it the way he did with no score. When you think about it, do we have music following us everywhere we go? No. And neither does Cleo. That said, I hope CuarĂłn gets everything he deserves during Oscar season.  

*In Phoenix, you can find ‘Roma’ at HarkinsCamelview Fashion Square on 12/7 and it will be released globally on Netflix on 12/14 and expanded Theatrically. 

Swimming With Men Movie Review

‘Swimming with Men,’ is a British comedy from, Oliver Parker, the director of ‘Johnny English Reborn,’ ‘The Importance of BeingEarnest’ and ‘An Ideal Husband.’ Putting it in the category of comedy fits to a degree but not fully in that the movie struggles at times focusing on who their natural audience member will be. It often gives off a heavy vibe rather than a light one and isn’t terribly funny. To its detriment, the story doesn’t set the viewer on the right path to begin with. Your expectations of the film are set toward one direction when the film runs off in another. It winds its way down several paths to find its eventual ending. Working for it is the fact that what that ending turns out to be, is not what you necessarily saw coming. You could compare ‘Swimming with Men’ to movies like, ‘The Full Monty’ but that said, it doesn’t quite meet those heights.

The film’s protagonist is Eric Scott, Rob Brydon from ‘The Trip’ movies, who becomes his own antagonist by inventing troubles that are not there. This will only frustrate you as the story goes on. When we’re introduced to Eric, we see that he’s in the midst of a mid-life crisis. He’s bored with his mundane accounting position at work, his son is giving him a hard time and then there’s his wife, Heather (Jane Horrocks). Without any real reason, he imagines she’s out to get him. What’s peculiar is that instead of attempting to tread water with Heather, who’s more than willing to float along with Eric, he’s running away from her. He’d prefer to spend time at the gym. This is where he meets a gaggle of men who are in similar situations in their lives. They, too, feel that they’re the odd men out and are misplaced in their current stations in life.

The men invite Eric to join their exclusive swim club where men who end up, ‘At the bottom of the pool’ literally and figuratively, meet toforget the world outside of the water. Here they can escape the callousjudgments, petty rivalries, disappointments, and pressures of life on dry land.

Eric is needed to create a particular maneuver they’d like to form so, as it turns out, they come into his life at the right time as much as he does theirs. Where the comedy comes in is getting to know each of them. That being the case, even they don’t necessarily set the tone for the comedy genre. I’d put this in the drama department myself. Don’t get me wrong; there are some laughs. These men getting to know Eric, especially scenes like when they give him ‘Fight Club’ type rules of their swim club, are comical. The men take their love of the sport of synchronized swimming very seriously. They’re told about a men’s league where they can start swimming, professionally. The sport isn’t recognized officially by the Olympics, but they get a chance to represent their country in the Men’s World Championship. Some members of the group aren’t interested but Eric sees it as a way to feel a part of something and soon the rest do, too. Quite surprisingly, especially to them, they end up doing quite well at the competition.

In a touching scene, Ted (Carter) gives Eric a message that awakens him from his stupor and there’s a lively scene right before the credits that show he has truly changed inside. Though the movie might not always reach the goal of amusing you as you had hoped, there’s something you learn at the end of the film that makes everything you’ve seen worth the time you’ve put in. The one real disappointment is that if the filmmakers had nailed down the exact genre they wanted to be, ‘Swimming with Men’ would have been all the better for it. As it turns out, it’s a likable watch for a matinee or to catch while flipping through your cable box.  

*Opening Dec. 7th in Phx area at Harkins Shea 14 and inSedona at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre
**Also opening Dec. 12th at the Flagstaff 16

Mary Queen of Scots Movie Review

In ‘Mary Queen of Scots,’ filmmaker Josie Rourke shows us a dramatic and intense time in history, cleverly focusing on and examining the life of the ever charming, ever bewitching and sharp, Mary Stuart (Ronan), who wants only what is rightfully hers. The film is written by Beau Willimon and based on the book, ‘Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart’ by John Guy. The world Rourke creates with cinematographer John Mathieson (X-Men: First Class, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, The Phantom of the Opera) is flush with color, showing beautiful landscapes however the piece is dark and lonely because though the spotlight is on Mary Stuart, there’s another woman who’s casting a pall over the entire situation. That woman is Queen Elizabeth I (Robbie), the Queen of England. Mary’s very existence threatens her in many ways.

Mary was the Queen of France at only sixteen years of age. Now widowed at the age of eighteen, she wants to be the Queen of Scotland, her homeland. After her husband’s death, she returns to her country of origin to reclaim the throne. This is where she is met with great opposition… and a jealous rival. Feisty and strong-willed, Mary pleads with her cousin to meet her face to face, so they can rule ‘side by side.’ She begs that they not allow men to get in the way of what could be an amicable and peaceful kinship. She wants and asks for unity. Of course, men twist her thoughts and encourage Elizabeth to believe that Mary is more foe than friend. Hungry for power, the men helping Elizabeth govern want to rule over both Scotland and England. Elizabeth is unable to bear a child and they fear what may happen when Mary weds and has a child. This child would then be the next in line to take over and lord over all the land.

This chapter in the tale is tedious. There are a lot of characters to get to know but once you learn everyone’s names and where they fit in the plot, the pacing never slows. You settle in rather nicely, in fact, and the two hours goes by comfortably. Ronan plays a bullheaded and determined Mary who wants to be with a man ‘fully,’ but not if she’s owned by him. Shocking for the day, she is her own woman. You’ll be surprised to learn that who Mary does eventually pick to marry is actually gay. How she handles the situation when she finds out is what endears you to her even more. You’ll find yourself wanting her to succeed and get what she’s due and you’ll need for Elizabeth to see her point of view and share her vision. The script is decent except for the few times when men and their games of war slip in. It wasn’t really needed but the reasons for it are understood.

At times, I was both fascinated and confused by the story. It’s well-done, powerful and intriguing but at times a lot to take in. That said, do not miss a thing! No going up to get popcorn or taking bathroom breaks or anything because every second of screen time is filled with something you’ll regret having missed. The ending when the two women’s eyes fall upon one another for the first time is remarkable. Their conversation is the perfect way to close this film. It’s definitely a watch on the big screen if possible.    

 

Social Media:

Official Website: http://focusfeatures.com/mary-queen-of-scots

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryQueenMovie/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryqueenmovie    

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryqueenmovie/    

A Star Is Born IMAX announcement!

BRADLEY COOPER’S “A STAR IS BORN” RECEIVES SPECIAL

ONE-WEEK IMAXŽ ENGAGEMENT

 

The director’s critically acclaimed and hugely successful debut will screen for one week beginning December 7 at select IMAX theatres across North America, followed by

special, behind-the-scenes footage featuring Cooper and co-star Lady Gaga

Burbank, CA – December 3, 2018 – Beginning on December 7 and for just one week, Warner Bros. Pictures’, Live Nation Productions’ and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures’ “A Star Is Born” will receive a national engagement in select IMAX® theatres throughout the U.S. and Canada.  In addition to experiencing the film for the first time in IMAX, audiences will be treated to “The Road to Stardom,” an exclusive look at the making of “A Star Is Born,” featuring director/star/writer/producer Bradley Cooper and star Lady Gaga, both of whom also wrote and produced many of the film’s songs, as well as performed them live for the movie.

            Jeff Goldstein, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures, said, “Securing premium IMAX screens in this competitive holiday window, ten weeks into release, speaks to the quality of the film Bradley Cooper has delivered and the passion audiences have for this story.  We are thrilled to be able to give moviegoers a chance to see ‘A Star Is Born’ again, or for the first time, in such an experiential format as IMAX.”

About “A Star Is Born”

In “A Star Is Born,” Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga fuse their considerable talents to depict the raw and passionate tale of Jack and Ally, two artistic souls coming together, on stage and in life.  Theirs is a complex journey through the beauty and the heartbreak of a relationship struggling to survive.

In this new take on the iconic love story, four-time Oscar nominee Cooper (“American Sniper,” “American Hustle,” “Silver Linings Playbook”), makes his directorial debut, and also stars alongside multiple award-winning, Oscar-nominated music superstar Gaga in her first leading role in a major motion picture.  Cooper portrays seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers and falls in love with struggling artist Ally.  She has given up on her dream to become a successful singer until she meets Jack, who immediately sees her natural talent.

            The film also stars Andrew Dice Clay (“Blue Jasmine”), with Dave Chappelle (“Chi-Raq”) and Sam Elliott, whose nearly 50-year career includes standout performances in such films as “Mask,” “Tombstone” and, most recently, “The Hero.”

In addition to playing Ally, Gaga—who earned an Oscar nod for the song “Til It Happens to You” from the film “The Hunting Ground”—performs original songs in the film with Cooper, which they wrote with a handful of artists, including Lukas Nelson, Jason Isbell and Mark Ronson.  The music is original and all vocals for the movie were recorded live during filming.

            “A Star Is Born” was produced by Bill Gerber, Jon Peters, Bradley Cooper, Todd Phillips and Lynette Howell Taylor.  Ravi Mehta, Basil Iwanyk, Niija Kuykendall, Sue Kroll, Michael Rapino and Heather Parry served as executive producers.  The screenplay was written by Oscar-winner Eric Roth (“Forrest Gump”) and Bradley Cooper & Will Fetters.

Cooper’s behind-the-scenes team included Oscar-nominated director of photography Matthew Libatique (“Black Swan”), production designer Karen Murphy (“The Light Between Oceans”), three-time Oscar-nominated editor Jay Cassidy (“American Hustle,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” “Into the Wild”), and costume designer Erin Benach (“Loving”).

            Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, in association with Live Nation Productions, in association with Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures, a Jon Peters/Bill Gerber/Joint Effort Production, “A Star Is Born.”  The film is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.  It is rated R for language throughout, some sexuality/nudity and substance abuse.

www.astarisbornmovie.com

The Favourite Movie Review

I recommend you drop everything and see this on the big screen immediately! There’s a reason why so many films come out toward the end of the year. Often that logic is based upon the fact that they’ve saved the best for the last. That would be the case here. ‘The Favourite’ is a significant contribution to the films of 2018. It even far surpassed my expectations in fact. It’s masterfully crafted and incredibly well written. The three lead actresses are exceptionally strong in this, the latest work from the skilled raconteur of ‘The Lobster’ and ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer,’ Yorgos Lanthimos.

‘The Favourite’ does have an altogether different spirit from either of his previous films. If you do have a strong opinion of his earlier work, you shouldn’t necessarily base your decision on whether or not to see this on your opinion of them. One reason to sit down and give this a watch that stands out above the others is that those films didn’t have this exceptional trio of women in their cast. These same actresses will now be giving the Academy a difficult choice over who to choose for an award and for which award. Not a bad pickle to be in but one they’ll be in to be sure.

The script by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara was more comical than I had expected it to be which was quite a pleasant surprise. Getting to know the women and fully coming to realize the rivalry between them for the favor of the Queen was as delicious as waiting for a steak to cook that had been marinating all day. The performances undeniably complement the script. That said, some accents can make it hard to understand exactly what they’re saying at times, but this doesn’t distract from your overall enjoyment of the film. You won’t miss the sharp intellect written into the dialogue and the keen wit it took to come up with the story in the first place.

The film is set in England, early in the 18th century. Olivia Colman plays ailing Queen Anne who finds more than just a friendship in Lady Sarah, played by Rachel Weisz. With the position she has put herself, Lady Sarah is essentially running the country. The Queen fully trusts her and makes no decision without her input. Enter young Abigail (Stone) who’s fallen on hard times. She hopes, since they are cousins, Lady Sarah will give her a position in the palace. Jealous of the beautiful young woman, yet enamored with her charms, Sarah gives her work and a place to stay and proceeds to get to know her. With more than kitchen work on her mind, Abigail uses her position with Sarah to get to know the Queen more. Soon, she finds herself in the catbird seat where she accidentally learns more about Sarah and Anne’s relationship than she had bargained for. Being in the right place at the right time, Abigail sees that they’re lovers, as well. She then decides to use this knowledge to her full advantage.

As Abigail moves her piece on the chessboard of life, Sarah starts to get suspicious. The music, politics, relationships, and discourse build from there. The story is impressively structured, and it’ll keep you riveted throughout, enough that I feel confident you’ll walk away possibly considering ‘The Favourite’ one of your favorites for 2018. The ending is pure Lanthimos. When Sarah questions Abigail about whether she thinks she has won, you’re eventually shown what winning would be if she does. A life of being at the queen’s beck and call to rub her ‘leg’ at a moments notice doesn’t sound fun. Is this the life she was looking forward to?

What Men Want Red Band Trailer

Ali Davis (Taraji P. Henson) is a successful sports agent who’s constantly boxed out by her male colleagues. When Ali is passed up for a well-deserved promotion, she questions what else she needs to do to succeed in a man’s world… until she gains the ability to hear men’s thoughts! With her newfound power, Ali looks to outsmart her colleagues as she races to sign the next basketball superstar, but the lengths she has to go to will put her relationship with her best friends and a potential new love interest (Aldis Hodge) to the test.

WHAT MEN WANT is the latest comedy from director Adam Shankman (HAIRSPRAY) and producers Will Packer and James Lopez (GIRLS TRIP), co-starring Tracy Morgan, Richard Roundtree, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Josh Brener, Tamala Jones, Phoebe Robinson, Max Greenfield, Jason Jones, Brian Bosworth, Chris Witaske and Erykah Badu.

Directed by:

Adam Shankman
Starring:

Taraji P. Henson, Aldis Hodge, Richard Roundtree, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Tracy Morgan

Social Media:

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In Theaters February 8th, 2019

http://www.fandango.com

Moroni for President Movie Review

‘Moroni for President’ is about diversity and a shift in thinking as much as it is about someone throwing their hat into the ring to be considered president of the Navajo Nation. Being that I live in Arizona and have lived near a reservation I took great interest in seeing if a young man can challenge his elders and be the change that he, himself, seeks in the community. At the beginning of this gorgeously shot film, we learn some facts about the Navajo’s themselves. The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American Nation in the United States as it spans across Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Like the U.S., they have a presidential election every four years. Because of their size, the Navajo president is the most influential and powerful tribal leader in the country.

Here we meet several candidates as well as get to know Moroni Benally, the subject of the film. In 2014, the president is Ben Shelly. When we are introduced to him, he tells us of how much complaining and bellyaching he hears. He explains that people blame him for everything, even everyday problems that he can’t control. You can see it pains him that people don’t see what he does accomplish. This may be the case but he wants to run again.

Joe Shirley Jr., who has held the position before, wants to try again, as well. If he’s successful, he would be elected into a third term, something not allowed for a U.S. president. Ben Shelly was Joe Shirley’s Vice President. Learning all of this, you can see appreciate where Moroni is coming from. It’s past time for some change. He feels leaders past and present, who walk around in jeans, wear cowboy hats and boots, are bound by the old way of thinking and of doing things. They certainly don’t like to be questioned. Moroni doesn’t dress like, as he refers to them, the ‘old guard’ and sees they aren’t always truthful. They’ve continued to try and sell the Navajo people the ‘American Dream’ when it’s not possible to achieve. Not only would he like to bring a fresh perspective on things by getting youth involved but by challenging the United States.

This being the case, something fascinating and disheartening you hear is that their tribe isn’t allowed to build buildings because the land they live on isn’t theirs. They’re only allowed to use it. Moroni wants everyone to wake up to the fact that there will be no reaching the ‘good life’ that the elders have always sold them on unless they’re allowed to control their own resources. The question now is, can they confront the United States government and arrive at a better agreement than what’s currently in place? He tells young people who’ll listen that they should at least try. Their future is in their hands. Do they want to live in shacks or something better? Can they truly be a sovereign nation? Moroni believes they can.

Not only is this about his candidacy for president but something perhaps even bigger for Moroni. He’s an ex-Mormon who struggled terribly with the fact that he’s gay. In fact, he felt it was a cancer in his body. He confesses to those of us watching this documentary that he pleaded with God to be healed. It took him until the age of twenty-seven until he came to terms with who he was and accept it. In that time, he learned how to work a crowd, in fact, many older ladies who supported his candidacy fell in love with him instantly. He jokingly ruminates on how much money he could save his community by not having a first lady.

Moroni’s an extremely likable person, which is one of the things you’ll most enjoy. This documentary unfolds in a way that reveals so much more than just a bid for a chance to lead. Sadly, Moroni isn’t elected but he does accomplish something very important. The film gives many heartbreaking, staggering statistics that I’d like to see addressed in another documentary, but this ends on a light note about what he did for the Navajo Nation as a whole. He may not be able to speak the language as well as some, he may not have been elected their president, that honor went to Russell Begaye, but Moroni sheds light on the LGBTQ community and welcomes them, giving them a safe place, to finally come out and be counted. It was wonderful to see that they, no matter who they loved, were supported… as was Moroni himself. Again, the cinematography is breathtaking. The filmmakers take full advantage of the grounds Moroni walks and shows you an exceptionally beautiful area of the country. You’re going to admire Moroni but watch this also for the glorious and breathtaking landscapes.  Â